861.00/6712: Telegram
The Acting Secretary of State to the Commission to Negotiate Peace
3189. For Polk.
Referring to your 4204, September 13, 11 p.m.
On September 27, 1918, in response to two notes from the French Embassy dated July 168 and 289 respectively, relative to willingness of the United States to assume one third of a total sum of 5,000,000 roubles as financial aid to further the movement of the Czecho-Slovak forces in Siberia, Department replied10 that this Government was considering with Professor Masaryk separate financial aid on the part of the United States especially in regard to military supplies for the Czech armies in Siberia. As you recall, President accordingly set aside $5,000,000 for purchase of supplies for the Czech armies, to be disbursed under supervision of a special informal committee, consisting of McCormick, Baruch and Hurley.
The Department has no other funds for defraying any share of further expenses by Czech armies, aside from question of repatriation raised in your 4253, September 17, 11 p.m., which was referred at once to the President with recommendations for immediate action as a distinct and separate matter. Department hopes to send you answer on Monday.